Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi

Smt. Meenakshi Lekhi was born on 30 April 1967 in New Delhi to Shri Bhagwan Khanna and Smt. Amarlata Khanna. She assumed charge as Minister of State for External Affairs and Minister of State for Culture on 8 July 2021.

Legal Career

After graduating in B.Sc. (Hons) from Hindu College and LL.B. from Campus Law Centre, Delhi University, she enrolled with the Bar Council of Delhi in 1990. She practised in various courts, including several tribunals, Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, with particular focus on Indirect taxes and Criminal Law. She also practised in a range of forums across India and handled numerous issues pertaining to women in the courts, such as domestic violence, family law disputes and most importantly, the issue of permanent commission of the lady officers in the armed forces.

about-image-1
Political Career
Smt. Lekhi was elected to 16th Lok Sabha in May 2014 from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). She was re-elected to the 17th Lok Sabha in May 2019. During her parliamentary tenure, she has been a member of numerous parliamentary committees including House Committee, Press Council of India, Standing Committees on External Affairs and on Urban Development, Consultative Committee of Ministry of Defence, Joint Committee on Offices of Profit, Committee of Chairpersons, and General Purposes Committee. She has also served as the Chairperson of the Committee of Privileges, Committee on Public Undertakings, and Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019. Smt. Lekhi has been a social activist and has been actively associated with institutions and organisations working towards protection of the rights of women and children in the country. She held the post of National Vice President, BJP Mahila Morcha in 2010. She has also been a part of Drafting Committees for the ‘Women’s Reservation Bill’ and ‘Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill’ among others. Smt. Lekhi is married to Shri Aman Lekhi and has two sons.

Milestone Timeline

  1. 2010
  2. 2010
  3. May 2014
  4. 12 June 2014
  5. 1 Sep. 2014
  6. 11 Dec. 2014
  7. 11 Dec. 2014
  8. 11 Dec. 2014
  9. 20 July 2016
  10. 3 Nov. 2017
  11. May 2019
  12. 21 June 2019
  13. 24 July 2019
  14. 13 Sep. 2019
  15. 9 Oct. 2019
  16. 21 Nov. 2019
  17. 12 Dec. 2019
  18. 7 July 2021

  1. Joining the BJP (2010)

    2010

    Meenakshi Lekhi joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2010. She is a prominent Indian politician known for her role as a Member of Parliament (MP) representing the New Delhi constituency. Lekhi is also recognized for her contributions to legal and social issues, making her a notable figure in Indian politics.

  2. National Vice President, BJP Mahila Morcha

    2010

    Meenakshi Lekhi is a prominent Indian politician and lawyer, associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In 2010, she served as the National Vice President of the BJP Mahila Morcha, the women's wing of the BJP. Her role in this position involved advocating for women's rights, empowerment, and participation in politics.

  3. Elected to 16th Lok Sabha

    May 2014

    Meenakshi Lekhi, a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), was elected to the 16th Lok Sabha in 2014. She represented the New Delhi constituency in the Parliament. Known for her articulate speeches and active participation in debates, Lekhi has been a prominent figure in Indian politics. Her work has focused on various issues, including women's rights, urban development, and legal reforms. Lekhi's political career showcases her dedication to public service and advocacy for important societal changes.

  4. Member, House Committee

    12 June 2014 - 25 May 2019

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a member of the House Committee from June 12, 2014, to May 25, 2019, during her tenure in the 16th Lok Sabha. In this role, she contributed to the committee's deliberations and decisions on various legislative matters and parliamentary affairs. Her active involvement in parliamentary committees reflects her commitment to legislative processes and governance.

  5. Event title here

    1 Sep. 2014 - 20 July 2016

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Committee on Privileges during her tenure in the 16th Lok Sabha. This committee is responsible for examining matters related to privileges of Members of Parliament and ensuring the dignity and integrity of parliamentary proceedings. Lekhi's role in this committee reflects her engagement in upholding parliamentary standards and addressing issues concerning the privileges and rights of elected representatives.

  6. Member, Press Council of India

    11 Dec. 2014 - 25 May 2019

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Press Council of India, where she contributed to maintaining the standards of journalistic ethics and freedom of the press. Her involvement in the council highlights her commitment to ensuring responsible journalism and addressing issues related to media regulation and press freedom in India.

  7. Member, Standing Committee on Urban Development

    11 Dec. 2014 - 25 May 2019

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Standing Committee on Urban Development during her tenure in the 16th Lok Sabha. In this role, she was involved in examining policies, bills, and issues related to urban development, including housing, urban infrastructure, and public services. Her participation in the committee reflects her dedication to improving urban living conditions and contributing to the development of sustainable and efficient urban environments in India.

  8. Member, Joint Committee on Offices of Profit

    11 Dec. 2014 - 25 May 2019

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Joint Committee on Offices of Profit during her tenure in the 16th Lok Sabha. This committee is tasked with examining and making recommendations regarding positions that may be considered offices of profit, which could disqualify a member of parliament. Her role in this committee underscores her involvement in ensuring the adherence to constitutional provisions and maintaining the integrity of parliamentary positions.

  9. Chairperson, Committee on Privileges

    20 July 2016 - 25 May 2019

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as the Chairperson of the Committee on Privileges. In this role, she led the committee responsible for examining matters related to the privileges of Members of Parliament and ensuring the integrity and dignity of parliamentary proceedings. Her leadership in this committee underscores her commitment to maintaining high standards of parliamentary conduct and addressing issues concerning the rights and privileges of legislators.

  10. Member, Press Council of India

    3 Nov. 2017

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Press Council of India. In this role, she contributed to upholding journalistic ethics and maintaining the freedom of the press. Her involvement in the council highlights her dedication to ensuring responsible journalism and addressing issues related to media regulation and press standards in India.

  11. Re-elected to 17th Lok Sabha (2nd term)

    May 2019

    Meenakshi Lekhi was re-elected to the 17th Lok Sabha, serving her second term as a Member of Parliament representing the New Delhi constituency. Her re-election reflects the continued trust and support of her constituents and her ongoing commitment to legislative work and public service.

  12. Member, Panel of Chairpersons, Lok Sabha

    21 June 2019 - 7 July 2021

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Panel of Chairpersons in the Lok Sabha. In this role, she was responsible for presiding over sessions of the Lok Sabha in the absence of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker, ensuring the smooth conduct of parliamentary proceedings. Her position on the panel underscores her leadership skills and her significant contribution to the legislative process.

  13. Chairperson, Committee on Public Undertakings

    24 July 2019 - 7 July 2021

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as the Chairperson of the Committee on Public Undertakings. In this role, she oversaw the examination of the reports and accounts of public sector undertakings (PSUs) and ensured their efficient functioning. Her leadership in this committee highlights her commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and performance in government-owned enterprises.

  14. Member, Standing Committee on External Affairs

    13 Sept. 2019 - 7 July 2021

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Standing Committee on External Affairs. In this capacity, she contributed to reviewing and advising on India's foreign policy, international relations, and diplomatic initiatives. Her role in the committee underscores her involvement in shaping India's external engagements and addressing global issues of national interest.

  15. Member, Committee of Privileges

    9 Oct. 2019 - 7 July 2021

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the Committee of Privileges during her tenure in the Parliament. In this role, she participated in examining matters related to the privileges of Members of Parliament, ensuring the integrity of parliamentary proceedings and upholding the rights and privileges of elected representatives. Her involvement in this committee reflects her commitment to parliamentary standards and legislative responsibilities.

  16. Member, General Purposes Committee, Lok Sabha

    21 Nov. 2019 - 7 July 2021

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as a Member of the General Purposes Committee in the Lok Sabha. In this capacity, she contributed to overseeing and advising on various administrative and procedural matters within the Lok Sabha, ensuring smooth functioning and effective decision-making. Her role in this committee reflects her dedication to parliamentary processes and organizational efficiency.

  17. Chairperson, Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019 Member, Consultative Committee, Ministry of Defence

    12 Dec. 2019 - 7 July 2021

    Meenakshi Lekhi served as the Chairperson of the Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill, 2019. In this role, she led the committee responsible for reviewing and advising on legislation related to personal data protection, ensuring privacy rights and data security for individuals. Additionally, she was a Member of the Consultative Committee for the Ministry of Defence. In this capacity, she contributed to discussions and recommendations concerning defense policies, strategies, and initiatives, playing a crucial role in national security and defense planning.

  18. Union Minister of State, Ministry of External Affairs; and Union Minister of State, Ministry of Culture

    7 July 2021 onwards

    As of my last update in January 2022, Meenakshi Lekhi had not held the positions of Union Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs or Ministry of Culture. Her roles have primarily been as a Member of Parliament, serving on various committees and contributing to legislative and parliamentary work. If there have been any updates or changes in her positions since then, you may want to verify with the latest information available.